Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a catch basin?
- Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
- Do catch basins and storm drains get cleaned out?
- Can filters or screens be installed in front of catch basins?
- Why isn't a net/fence/barrier installed at the end of the storm drain channel to catch all of the trash?
- Why don't Communities build stormwater treatment facilities?
- What kind of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?
- How much water passes through the system?
- What are municipalities doing about illegal dumping?
- I see people dumping their used oil into storm drains all the time. What can I do?
- What happens if I see a neighbor, or know someone who's throwing trash into a storm drain?
- I have some paint/thinners/chemicals at home that need to be disposed of. Where can I take these?
- What kind of educational programs or informational materials are available about storm water?
- How can I be environmentally responsible when washing my car?
- Yard clippings leaves are natural, so they don't cause any problems, right?
ABOUT THE SYSTEM
Q: What is a catch basin?
A: A catch basin is a curbside receptacle whose sole function is to serve as a rainwater drainage device.
Q: Are sewers and storm drains the same thing?
A: No. The term sewer may refer to one of two completely different systems: the sanitary sewer or the storm sewer. The sanitary sewer system carries wastewater discharges from sources such as toilets and sinks through an extensive treatment process prior to being discharged. The storm sewer or storm drain system is a separate collection system designed to channel rainfall runoff to prevent flooding. This system receives no formal treatment whatsoever and discharges directly into local waterways and basins.
Q: Do catch basins and storm drains get cleaned out?
A: Yes. Each respective jurisdiction within the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area has a different program to clean the drainage system within their community.
Q: Can filters or screens be installed in front of catch basins?
A: It sounds like a good idea. But during a rainstorm, trash is quickly swept to the catch basin and any screen or filtration device placed in front of the catch basin would cause trash to accumulate and clog the grate, preventing proper drainage and end up flooding the street. With thousands of catch basins feeding miles of pipes and channels, there would be far too many blocked catch basins to have crews cleaning them as the rain falls.
Q: Why isn't a net/fence/barrier installed at the end of the storm drain channel to catch all of the trash?
A: Trash barrier nets and/or screens only catch the trash that floats in the channels or detention basins. However, most of the toxins like pet waste, used oil, pesticides, fertilizers, etc. flow through the net and straight into our waterways.
Q:
Why don't Communities build stormwater treatment facilities?
A: Treatment facilities are extremely expensive to build and maintain. For most of the year, the facility would have little to no flow to keep it operating properly. However, during a measurable rain event, the massive amount of water coming through the facility would easily overtax the system.
Q: What kind of pollutants are found in the storm drain system?
A: Paint thinner and paint products, motor oil, pesticides, Styrofoam cups, paper, human and animal feces, antifreeze, golf balls, dirty diapers, and dead animals are but a few of the pollutants found in the system on a daily basis.
Q: How much water passes through the system?
A: The storm drain systems within each community in the Valley vary from one another. However, on a ty pical dry summer day, many communities have more than one million gallons of nuisance water flowing in the storm sewer system. This flow comes from sources such as over-watered lawns, fire hydrant pressure releases and car washes. In a heavy rainstorm, the combined flow in the Valley can increase to more than a billion gallons.
ILLEGAL DUMPING
Q: What are municipalities doing about illegal dumping?
A: It is illegal to knowingly dump or discharge pollutants into storm drain systems and local ordinances can impose stiff fines on the perpetrators if they are caught.
Q: I see people dumping their used oil into storm drains all the time. What can I do?
A: Dumping used oil is illegal. One gallon of motor oil can pollute 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Click here to find the appropriate point of contact in your community to report illegal dumping.
Locate an oil recycling center near you.
Q: What happens if I see a neighbor, or know someone who's throwing trash into a storm drain?
A: Storm drains are for the sole purpose for rainwater overflow. Dumping trash, pollutants and debris in the catch basins is illegal and is a federal violation of the Clean Water Act of 1972 as well as local ordinances. If it's a neighbor, they may not understand the catch basin's direct connection to our waterways. If you feel comfortable speaking with your neighbor, it may be just a matter of informing them and making them aware of its environmental impact. Alternately, you may report the problem to the proper representative in your community by Reporting a Problem.
Q: I have some paint/thinners/chemicals at home that need to be disposed of. Where can I take these?
A: Various local communities have household hazardous waste collection programs. Please contact your local municipality for information about HHW events in your area. To get the appropriate phone number in your community, simply click Report a Problem and then choose your area from the pull down menu.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Q: What kind of educational programs or informational materials are available about storm water?
A: There are a variety of educational programs on how to prevent Stormwater pollution. STORM offers may types educational programs on our public education page.
Q:How can I be environmentally responsible when washing my car?
A: The best place to wash your car is to use a full or self-service car wash. They are designed to recycle used water and filter out many of the harmful chemicals and pollutants washed away from your vehicle. An alternative to using a full or self-service car wash is to park your vehicle on the lawn or gravel. Use biodegradable soaps to wash your vehicle, using as little water as possible. Shut off water while washing your car, then rinse. Leaving your vehicle on grass or landscape areas may violate local ordinances, so please remember to properly park it when you are done.
Q:
Yard clippings are natural, so they don't cause any problems, right?
A: Grass, leaves and yard clippings that are repeatedly swept into catch basins can clog the drain. This may cause flooding and increases the potential for becoming a breeding ground for rodents and insects. Additionally, grass and leaves decompose and contribute to new plant growth, which deprives aquatic animals of the oxygen they need to survive